Any Christian concerned about reaching the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ cannot help but be overwhelmed by the “lostness” that is evident among the people of South Asia.
And for the more than 400 Southern Baptist missionaries who serve in that region of the world, which some have identified aptly as “the far ends of the earth,” the task before them is daunting and humbling.
In July, my wife Linda and I spent a week with those missionaries and their families for the South Asia Region’s annual general meeting. Our traveling partner and faithful companion on the trip was Debbie McDowell, director of the South Carolina Baptist Convention’s missions mobilization group and coordinator of our denomination’s missions partnerships. These have included Rio de Janeiro, Kenya, Romania and Taiwan prior to linking with an entire region, South Asia.
We also were in the delightful and helpful company of volunteers from East Cooper Baptist Church in Charleston, whose pastor, Buster Brown, was Bible teacher for the meeting and whose church members cared for and provided activities for the children of the missionaries during the day. Their stories were carried in the last edition of the Courier and still can be read online at www.baptistcourier.wpengine.com. This issue of our newspaper contains my report of the challenges facing the South Asia missionaries and some of the progress being made in that region.
David Garrison, the International Mission Board’s regional director for South Asia, spoke of the “personalization” of missions which has played a major role in what he called a “wave of volunteerism” making its impact across the Southern Baptist Convention – and throughout the world.
I have been involved in each of the state Baptist convention partnerships, and my wife has participated along with me and other South Carolina volunteers in Romania and Taiwan.
The South Asia gathering was our initial experience with so many missionaries in one place and for that length of time. It was a time to be cherished. We were struck by the youth of so many of the missionaries for whom child-rearing simply adds to the challenges, as well as the satisfactions, of their calling.
Their work toward a day when “the glory of God covers South Asia as waters cover the sea” is a testimony to their commitment to the Great Commission of our Lord, as well as an indictment of those of us who are less involved in spreading the gospel even in our own land.
We shook our heads in wonder at how happily these called men and women of God tend their fields of service, sacrificing themselves without complaint and trusting the Lord of the harvest to provide the fruit of their labors.
South Carolina’s partnership with South Asia extends through 2009. The theme of our state Baptist convention this year is “A Story to Tell.” We do have a story to tell, and we must tell it in South Asia as well as in South Carolina. All South Carolina Baptists can pray for South Asia, most can give for the cause of Christ in that region – and some can go.